THE CROW'S NEST
Published by the Publication Committee of the Employees
of the U. S. Navy Yard, Norfolk, VA.
(Published in Portsmouth, Va.)
June, 1920.
Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 16 and 21.

EARLY HISTORY CONNECTED WITH THE NORFOLK NAVY YARD

THE site of the United States Navy Yard at Norfolk, Virginia, was selected and reserved by the government of Great Britain and for many years prior to the independence of the colonies was occupied as a Naval Station for the repairs of the vessels of the American Squadron. I can not learn that any vessels of war were built here during this time. With the independence of the Colonies this Naval Station known as Gosport became the property of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In a report to the Virginia Assembly in 1782 I find the city of Norfolk spoken of thus, "Our most populous town containing about 6,000 inhabitants, situated on the Elizabeth river, the lowest of those which run into James river. It is a harbour which would contain 300 ships. The channel is from 150 to 200 fathoms wide, and at common flood tide affords 18 feet of water to Gosport. The Strafford, a 60-gun ship, went there lightening to cross the bar at Lowells Point. The Pier Rodrigue, pierced for 64 guns and carrying 50, went there without lightening. Craney Island at the mouth of this river commands its channel tolerably well."

During the revolutionary war and until the year 1800 when it became the property of the United States, many ships were built and repaired at Gosport but not having any official record I can not give the names of any prior to 1797, during this year the unfortunate Frigate Chesapeake was commenced. She was completed and launched in November, 1799.

January 25, 1800, the legislature of Virginia passed an act transferring "certain lands the property of the Commonwealth commonly called and known by the name of Gosport to the United States for a Navy Yard, valuation to be fixed by a joint commission. Proper deeds to be given upon receipt. If the design of the U. S. Government to establish a Navy Yard be abandoned the property to revert to the Commonwealth."

About this time the Navy Commissioners appointed a board of officers of the U. S. Navy to examine and report a site of the establishment of a Navy Yard in one of the southern seaboard states. Each officer made an independent report. Commodore Decatur reported in favor of Gosport. This report is said to have been written by Governor Lyttleton Tazewell and Congress acting upon it purchased the present Navy Yard—which consisted of about ten acres of land—beginning at Lincoln street on the river front and running back to Secondstreet along Second street to a creek thence along that creek (in which was built the present timber docks) to the river. The Yard at this time, 1800, was not enclosed and contained no buildings but a few dilapidated. Whereas, beside the large creek which constituted the southern boundary two others made indentures, into the river front. One near the wall on the north wharf ran up across the street in front the gate and was crossed by a bridge — the other just above the large shears—extending into the yard nearly to the road way leading from the gate. For many years these creeks were used to secure boats and small vessels. The creek at the North Wharf was dredged on one side and built up with logs making a very good wharf.

The first Commandant I am able to obtain record of is Captain John Cassin though it is evident there were several before him. Commodore Cassin lived in the Yard in a small house situated directly in front of the gate at the opposite end of the Yard near the creek. On the creek just at the rear of the house he had built a bath house. In front of the house and to the left of the drive was the Commandant's office where one clerk transacted all the business of the Commandant and acted as disbursing agent, drawing the necessary funds from the Navy Agent and paying the men every Saturday. In those days the most common currency was silver dollars and halves. One Friday, this gentleman whom we will call Smith, which is an ancient Virginian name, drew a large amount of money for the payment of the employees and other bills, brought it over to his office and put it away carefully in a barrel. That evening he was seen going down the river in a boat with a barrel in the stern sheets. The men were not paid the next day and Mr. Smith by his extended absence brought discredit upon the name of Smith.

To the left of the Commandant's house stood the Marine Barracks. Farther to the left was a grove of pines. At this point just across Second street was an old Dutch roofed ancient looking (even in these days) house occupied as a hospital for the Marine Corps. The first surgeon in charge of this building was Dr. Hultz who was relieved by Surgeon Williamson and who remained at this station many years.

Somewhere near this place was a burying ground and old citizens can remember long rows of wooden head boards.

The old hospital is still in existence, having been sold and moved when the Navy Yard was extended to Lincoln street where it now stands, the only remaining relic of the post not destroyed during the war of the rebellion in the Norfolk fires of 1861 and 1862.

Beyond the creek which was the southern boundary of the Yard was the County road leading across the Elizabeth river which was covered by a toll bridge. The toll keeper of this bridge was the widow of Gunner Kelly of the Federal Navy. She lived in a lodge just below the present spar shed. A little farther up the river was situated the U. S. Marine Hospital, and still beyond stood an old magazine kept for many years after and during the Revolutionary War by Gunner Dunn—after his death by Gunner Marshall, U. S. N.

Among the first civil officers appointed which was 1800 to 1803 was Captain Thomas Dalton. I cannot learn what the style of his appointment was. His duties were numerous and he had apparently exercised considerable authority. He rang the bell, mustered the employees, detailed the labor for the work on the Yard improvements and assisted in paying them. The employees at this time were paid every Saturday by the Navy Agent who resided in Norfolk, and it is probable he entrusted this duty to Captain Dalton.

Many anecdotes are told of Captain Dalton. He was noted for his hospitality and social disposition as well as his strange eccentricities. Among the latter he had conceived the idea that he was followed by a particular fly. He used to declare that he had known and recognized this fly for years, that he first noticed it in England and well remembered the day he was getting his stores on the ship in which he took passage, this fly was unusually annoying. A few days after the ship sailed he went to his sideboard for a bottle of rum and the fly mounting his nose would not be driven off. He caught the rascal, opened a bottle of rum, put the fly into it, corked and sealed it. Over a year after this when he had forgotten the fly, he happened to open the same bottle and in turning out a glass of rum, he discovered the fly in the glass. Recognizing it, he placed it on the window in the sun and in a short time it was as full of life and venom as ever, and though constantly about him, following him everywhere he had never been able to catch the rascal or to get rid of it.

The first civil officers of the Yard that I can obtain any record of were as follows: Navy Constructor, Francis Grice; Master Blacksmith, Charles Grice; Master Joiner, Brumhall; Master Ship Carpenter, John Richardson; Master Boat Builder, Peter Herbert; Master Caulker, Liboult; Inspector of Timber,James Jarvis; Naval Store Keeper, Thomas Dalton; Commandant's Clerk, ____ Smith.

Until 1826 there were no restrictions placed upon workmen. They passed in and out the Yard as they pleased and were not checked unless they lingered more than one quarter of a day over their "toddies." In the winter of this year Commodore Barron discovered that some dishonest persons were employed as coppersmiths, and other valuable articles were disappearing rapidly. He issued an order to Captain John Gallagher, U. S. N., Constructor Grice and Clerk of the Yard John D. King directing them to prepare "Rules and regulations calculated to secure discipline and forward the public interests."

An old gentleman named Bevins lived just across the County road and was buried with a number of his family near the present dry dock—prior to 1800. In 1820 or '21 two officers of marines quarreled in their mess room and adjourned to the little grove just beyond the barracks where they settled their difference by exchanging shots. They stood close together and fired at the tap of a drum. One of them was instantly killed. They bore the aristocratic names of Smith and Brown. The number of the Smith family was not reduced.

About this same date a stone man was employed in the Yard who was noted for his gigantic proportions and strength. He stood nearly 7 feet high, weighed 290 pounds and used a hammer as a bolt driver that weighed 37 pounds. By order of the Commandant he was paid double wages, receiving $1.75 per diem. He carried on a wager between two officers an anchor weighing 900 pounds, on his back to the wharf from the  smith shop.

(Concluded in next issue.)